UARU
Uaru amphiacanthoides
GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Has a triangular head and a deep body. Eyes are brightly coloured. Is grey in colour and had a black stripe along its flanks.
SIZE
30 cm.
INTERESTING FACTS
Although the Uaru comes from an aggressive family of fishes, it is very placid.
APPEAL
This fish is unique in appearance and has interesting markings. It is not particularly active in the aquarium but it is easily observed. Very few people keep these fish in captivity as they are difficult to obtain. Uaru are beutiful and gentle fish.
AVAILABILITY
Vary rare in South Australia. I know only of two other people who keep Uaru (and I know most of the serious fish keepers). They are very rarely available in shops.
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This is 'Clive' our Uaru. He lives with much smaller tropical fish, but does not disturb them. 'Clive' is very timid. |
MAINTENANCE OF CAPTIVE SPECIMENS
SUITABILITY
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Advantages: Happy in a standard aquarium (120 cm or more). Does not eat other fish. Can be territorial bur rarely will harass other fish. Only squabbles with its own kind. Easy to feed. Happy in a tropical tank. |
Disadvantages: Grows to a large size. Is very sensitive to harassment. Picky about what it eats. Can be sensitive to water quality. Eats plants. |
Not for the beginner. Uaru are delicate and fussy.
AQUARIUM CONDITIONS
| Minimum aquarium size: | 120 cm X 40 cm. |
| Water temperature: | 25 C. |
| Water salinity: | Freshwater only. |
| Filtration & oxygenation: | Water needs to be kept clean and well oxygenated. |
| Lighting: | Not critical. |
| Plants: | Uaru destroy aquarium plants. I recommened plastic plants only. |
| Furnishings: | A dark hiding place should be provided. |
| Notes: |
AQUARIUM BEHAVIOR
The Uaru tends to be a placid fish. I have not observed one ever eating fish small enought to be eaten. Uaru tend to build a nest in a suitable location by excavating the substrate and moving about aquarium furnishings. They are very shy and easily startled.
FEEDING HABITS
Uaru tend to be fussy eaters. Mine will only eat red meat and green vegetable matter. It will not take live food or frozen fish.
FISH KEEPING RECOMMENDATIONS
Keep the Uaru away from aggrerssive fish. It seems to live quite safely with standard tropical fish despite its large size. Ensure it has somewhere to hide.
OUR FISH
SPECIMEN DETAILS
I keep one 30 cm fish named 'Clive'.
AQUARIUM DETAILS
It lives in a 180 cm X 40 cm tank, maintained at 26C. Filtered by internal power filters. Has only plastic plants and is illuminated. Has a fine sand substrate with several large rocks and pieces of wood placed to provide hiding places. Also inhabited by tropical fish and gudgeons.
USEFUL LINKS
I havn't been able to find any good pages on the Uaru.
Created by Alexander and Elisabeth Foreman.
Page constructed by Alexander Foreman.
Copywrite (c) Alexander Foreman
